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Welcome to Am I Infected

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Posted Tuesday, August 28, 2012

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Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and I am really grateful that such a service exist, and that there are knowledgable people out there who are willing to take up some of their time and help and support worried and scared people like myself. I do apologize in advance for my detailed listing, and for the fact that it might feel repeated but i am in real need of personal assurance.

I am a 32 years old married male from overseas (india), i just moved to the states a couple of years ago, .I did a big mistake by making out with a female friend from my old job . There was about 4 incidents . The incidents involved prolonged french kissing probably for hours( i didnt bleed neither during the encounters nor while in brush my teeth normally) , but my gums are always inflammed due to gingivits and periodontal disease!),touching,genital rubbing with the clothes on and 2 times she masterbated me,one time with ky gel and one time with a lotion.I also fingered here in those 2 incidents and inserted my 2 or 3 fingers inside here for long periods of time,and I am 99.9% sure I didnt touch my genitals with that hand,and that i washed right away very well..there was one incident though that when she was sitting on me and grinding and moving around and i had cotton pants on and undearwear and she was in her underwear, she got kind of wet and i saw some fluid on my pants from her but didnt wash it away. The problem is she used to be an iv drug user but quit 8 years ago, she also has hep c and she was honest about it,she said she tested -ve for hiv one and a half year ago with her partner (she is bisexual) and she has only been with her partner for the last 6 years and just broke up with her right before these incidents with me and never did anything high risk. (according to her)after about 2 weeks from the last exposure i developed the following symptoms:started the symptoms: diarrhea with severe abdominal pain, took OTC meds,which stopped the diarrhea in 1 day or so, , my stomach was hurting so bad with alot of bloating and stomachache.,and mostly i had constipation after that/,few days i started having difficulty swallowing that never happened to me before ,severe neck tighness especially in the front and sides,didnt feel like a normal sore throat but it was a sore throat!,loss of taste,frequent urination. ,went to doc but didnt tell her about my fears,she said she doesnt see anything wrong with my throat,no swollen nodes, gave me antibiotic, started takin it,lost appetite,lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks coz i barely ate.i was so fatigued and depressed, and always wanted to sleep to escape the fact that now i am HIV +ve! I woke up with chills in 2 consecutive nights,sweated at 2 nights but not to the extent i had to change clothes, it was kinda hot, still no fever,only hot flashes, i took .i had a lot of belching, and one night i had low pulse and thought i was gonna die and couldnt even breath from the pressure on my stomach. I .Twice I had watery diarrhea . in 2 weeks throat symptoms went away,so as abdomen pain.now there is Tendrenss over both lower ribs from side,both uper abdominal muscles around my liver and spleen, heavy feeling under arms like my nodes were swollen but no lumps .my lymph nodes under my arms were so much tender to touch and painful that pain wakes me up sometimes,,then burning sensation in pectoral area and axilla,like it was on fire,sometimes when i am sleeping i feel like tingling in my chest or my pectoral muscles, if i wake up and walk a bit it goes away, didnt feel like heart burn though!in few days calmed down, then one lymph node swoll in my neck only one side behind my ear (that is 4 weeks after my initial symptoms started),little tender to touch,the first night i felt my face swollen on that side,also discomfort in right groin area was felt for 2-3 days before that lymph node swoll on my neck, the lymph node has been there for 5 weeks now, under arms still feel uncomfortable & tender when i push on it, i check my nodes alot during the day to see if they r swollen, it is tender on my chest muscles, side of chest, a little bit under my axilla and a little bit on my groin, also the sides of my ribs right above the waist and right groin discomfort,dont see any swollen nodes though.Now it is 11 weeks post my encounters, i have some questions plz. having these symptoms 2 weeks after the encounter, the sore throat and stomach problems lasted 2 weeks, then for 2 more weeks the pain in lymph nodes, and after those initial 4 weeks of symptoms , i developed 2 swollen nodes under my ear bean sized on the left and peas sized on the right, they are there for almost 5 weeks now, so the swollen nodes swoll 4 weeks after the intital symptoms,is this common for ARS?

I am so sorry for my long post, i have no friends or family here and i am in desprate need for support and i have no place to ask for help except in here, my life has been a living hell the last weeks, i cant sleep, eat or work, i dont talk to noone i dont know what to do,,please please honestly answer my questions?

You didn't have a risk for HIV infections and if you are having all those symptoms go see your doctor. Please take time to read the "Welcome" thread and all of it's links to gain knowledge on the transmission of HIV.

Thanks for the quick reply, i did see one doctor when i first got the symptoms, i thought it was a sore throat and he put me on the antibiotic. I then went the local clinic since i dont have insurance,I ecplained everything to the doctor, but u know how doctors are in these public clinics, he said i dont need hiv test, CBC and CMP. I did read the archives and the welcome message and everything , my only worry is the symptoms i have/had, mainly the swollen nodes under my ear on the jaw line.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thank u Ann, I am not trying to spin anything , I never had lumps like this before (my swollen nodes), and i cant find an explanation for all that, I am not tryin to be annoying, U really have no idea how I am feeling. Thanks again for ur response, I trust what u say and I am hoping jkinatl2 gives me his feedback just for reassurance, u really dont think i need HIV testing?

I'm positive and my partner of seven years is negative. The only precaution we take is to use condoms for intercourse. That's all you need. Use condoms and avoid hiv infection - it really is that simple.

You don't need to test specifically over this situation, no. However, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

If you're concerned about your lymph nodes, keep your hands off them because that will cause them to swell and stay swollen. See a doctor about them, we cannot diagnose you.

You did not have a risk of hiv infection in anything you bring to us. If this is the only sexual activity you've ever engaged in, then you don't need to test at all. You didn't have a risk.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I thought you just moved to the states a couple of years ago, was still a virgin till you got married and basically had no informtaion about HIV till you started reading about it a few weeks ago. After all, this is what you indicated.

I'm perplexed because you just wrote again stating that you tested for HIV prior to marriage. I find it difficult to absorb that you knew nothing regarding HIV. In all, you have not described any risk and are probablly all stressed out causing your mind to play all kinds of tricks on you.

I also understand that the mind can play games , but the timing of the symptoms, the reaction of the girl when she was suppose to get her results and suddenly stopped talking to me, and my swollen nodes are not mind games, they are facts. I just hope it is the craziest coincidence that happened to me to remind me not to do what I did again, . that is why i am freaked out, the conflicting information , thanks for taking the time to read my thread .

Well, I'm glad you can finally put closure on this issue from what you describe. Trust me, the mind can play games on you causing swollen lymph nodes for months if not years. I wish you the best of luck with you and your family in the future.

Ann, and RapidRod can someone tell me the 2 posts on I just tested Poz, (Improbable but Possible ) and (I don't understand how this is possible), the only way these 2 people were infected is through kissing, why are people trying to hide the truth? I couldnt go to sleep after I read these posts, shouldnt they contact the CDC?

Stay out of the other forums, ok? You aren't hiv positive and you've got no business over there.

Sometimes people can't even admit to themselves that they've engaged in risky behaviours, let alone admit it to anyone else. Sometimes people don't remember risky behaviour because they were under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Patient reporting is notoriously unreliable.

However, there have been studies where one partner is positive and one is negative. (the studies are discussed in the Transmission lesson, which you should have read by now) In the couples whose only precaution was to use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, NOT ONE of the negative partners became infected. NOT ONE. These studies have proven what activities are real transmission risks and what are not. Regardless of what some anonymous person posts in some internet forum.

You are conclusively hiv negative and you haven't had a risk that might change that. You are hiv negative.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thank you Ann, thank u so much, I went there because I wanted to see what I would expect if I was to find out I am positive, and I was shocked with those 2 stories of possible infectiond due to kissing!, I do however feel much better now and of course I would rely more on clinical trials and medical information other than someone saying a story, Indeed I was more reassured when u told me that ur partner is -ve and that u do kiss and do all that and everything is fine for 7 years,ur help is greatly appreciated, u r like a guardian angel, Stay well Ann and GOD bless u..

If you'd bothered to read the Welcome Thread like you're supposed to, you would know that you are not to post in the other forums. I've removed the post you made elsewhere and put it here, in your own thread, which is the ONLY place you should be posting.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

So, after receiving risk assessment in the appropriate forum, you decide to trawl the other forums? That's uncool, and you know it.

Logged

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

You would have known if you'd bothered to read the Welcome thread. We don't tell people to read it just because we like to type the words out over and over and over again. It even tells you to read before posting in the title of that thread. No excuse.

I'd have an easier time of accepting your apology if I hadn't told you only yesterday that you shouldn't be in that forum. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to brick walls.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I really thought u didnt want me to be there so i dont get more stressed out by reading the threads there, I HONESTLY read the welcome thread and i must have missed/misuderstood the part where it says i cant post anywhere. I am sorry again and please dont be cranky tonight and take a deep breath, I hate to be a reason to make u more cranky after all the help u gave me and everyone here, remember u r the guardian angel , and the guardian angel should always be happy

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

I will pray for u that u win the money lottery, u r indeed making alot of people happy, comfortable, and safe by ur advicing and ur knwoledge, the love and respect that we have for u, the help that u give to people, and the changes u make in people's lives is way better and more valuable than the money lottery (u may not know it) but it is true. I know it wont hurt to win the money lottery on top of that ..lolI am glad u r smiling now, good night Angel....

Can someone please answer this, one post on the medhelp by an MD says that prolonged kissing poses a risk since u can do some small injuries to the lips and mouth and that the CDC advices against prolonged deep kissing as this can cause transmission if one partner is HIV +ve, and my situation was indeed prolonged kissing, is it true that the CDC info is not reliable? or what? it is this conflicting information that makes people like me worried

I've never seen where the CDC says you can. It does say there is a theoretical risk for open mouth kissing. Which means exactly what I said. No one has ever been documented in 25 years of getting HIV in the way.

matty.the.damned ,Thank u for ur reply, I really do trust this site that is why i am here every single day reading all the information here, also the body.com is a great site, so based on everything u read and my exposure, u really think I still have hope that I will test negative?

I am feeling one more swollen node in my neck (on the jaw line) on the right side, also i am feeling the nodes in the front of my neck getting a bit swollen , is this common to occur after 11 weeks since the encounter? is this common of acute HIV? my anxiety is up in the sky and i am feeling like my heart is going to stop. Does this sound like EPV? I am really losing my mind, everyone said i had no HIV risk, so what is this? i know symptoms mean nothing and anxiety causes alot of symptoms, but not the swollen nodes!! can someone please answer me is there a slight chance that this is HIV? have u guys ever been wrong when u said to someone they had no risk and they came back and saying they tested positive?

You have been told repeatedly by myself and others that you have no reason to worry about HIV from what you've described here. You've been told that symptoms mean nothing. Your nodes will swell if you poke them all the time, which is what you're doing. Racing to the bathroom mirror and prodding away several times an hour. Don't tell me you're not.

Your needs are beyond the sort of support we can provide here. I recommend you seek the advice of a mental health professional.

Matty, u r right, i have been poking on my lymph nodes every single day for the last 10 weeks, in the car when i am in a light, at home, at work, i cant really count and everyone noticed in my job. can this cause them to swell? have u guys ever been wrong when u assessed someone's HIV risk as no risk and they came back and say they tested positive? AM i being irrational? I wish i can go see someone for my anxiety but i dont have insurance until september, and trust me the assurance i get here helps me alot and makes a difference between me sleeping that night or not

Ann, Rapidrod and matty, honestly.. honestly,have u guys ever been wrong when u assessed someone's HIV risk as no risk and they came back and say they tested positive???

Man,

I have been an AIDSMEDer since March 2005. I have been giving advice in Am I Infected/Fears of forum since then. I've only ever seen two people test positive after posting in this forum and in both cases there were clear risks and other indicators that a ultimate positive diagnosis was pretty much certain.

And no I won't tell you who they are. So don't think you can go sending people PM's about this stuff. I know what you've been up to.

Similarly I've never seen someone who has been told they will most likely test negative end up testing positive. We're take the work we do here very seriously. We don't make predictions lightly. It's why we're the Number 1 HIV/AIDS website on the whole wide internet.

Matty, my point was not to contact anyone, I swear. U said these 2 people u already told them there are some risks, but in my case, everybody said NO risk, and this was my question, have u ever told someone NO risk and they tested positive? or those 2 cases u were referring too had some risk and u already told them they had risk?

Matty, my point was not to contact anyone, I swear. U said these 2 people u already told them there are some risks, but in my case, everybody said NO risk, and this was my question, have u ever told someone NO risk and they tested positive? or those 2 cases u were referring too had some risk and u already told them they had risk?

I'm not going to discuss other cases with you in any detail. They bear no relevance to your situation. What is relevant to you that there is no risk for HIV transmission from what you describe.